Forward7, Air Products, Sistema.bio to Bring Biogas to Bihar Farmers

In a significant move to promote clean energy solutions in rural India, Saudi Arabia’s Forward7 Initiative has partnered with Air Products, a provider of industrial gases, and Sistema.bio, a social enterprise specialising in modern biogas technology, to launch a project providing subsidised biodigesters to small farm owners in Begusarai, Bihar.

The initiative aims to install over 400 biogas plants by March 2025, supporting small farm owners with access to affordable, sustainable energy while reducing dependence on traditional cooking fuels like wood and coal.

The project, backed by the Middle East Green Initiative, seeks to improve the lives of rural communities by providing clean cooking solutions that reduce carbon emissions, enhance health conditions, and empower marginalised groups, particularly women. By introducing biodigesters, the collaboration will help convert organic farm waste into clean energy and biofertiliser, improving both household energy access and agricultural productivity.

Forward7, previously known as the Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking Initiative, is committed to accelerating global efforts toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The initiative not only supports environmental conservation but also fosters economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development in rural regions.

Under this collaboration, biogas plants with a 2-cubic-meter capacity will be deployed across Begusarai. These units will enable small-scale farmers to convert organic waste into renewable energy, reducing dependency on conventional cooking fuels while simultaneously producing biofertilizer, a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. This initiative is expected to lower farming costs, improve soil quality, and boost agricultural yields for local farmers.

The project will be implemented through a comprehensive strategy focusing on risk identification, quality control, end-user adaptation, and affordability. Advanced data collection tools such as Salesforce and TaroWorks will be used to monitor progress, track targets, and ensure timely execution. The collaboration will also leverage Sistema.bio’s 14 years of expertise and established local networks to ensure smooth implementation.

Forward7, through its global initiatives, has already provided clean cooking solutions to millions of people worldwide, offering alternatives such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), solar-powered stoves, and biodigesters to reduce reliance on hazardous cooking methods.

This partnership marks a major step toward scaling up biogas adoption in India, addressing rural energy challenges, and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.